Anna Waters

Dr Anna Waters is a Chartered Performance Psychologist, Director of Anna Waters Performance Psychology and Director of Chrianna Consultants Ltd, known for helping individuals and teams protect their mental health while performing under pressure. Anna has built her reputation working with performers, athletes and leaders who face intense scrutiny and expectation, equipping them with the psychological tools to manage anxiety, build confidence and maintain emotional balance. Her work focuses on the connection between performance and wellbeing, helping people stay mentally healthy while delivering at their best. With a clear, practical approach, Anna supports audiences to understand their minds, reduce mental distraction and create sustainable success without burnout.

Across her career, Anna has worked in elite sport, the performing arts and corporate environments, giving her a well-rounded understanding of high-performance mental health. Through Anna Waters Performance Psychology, she supports actors, musicians, dancers, comedians and production teams, helping them overcome performance anxiety, manage self-doubt and stay present in high-pressure moments. Through Chrianna Consultants Ltd, she works with organisations to strengthen mindset, communication and resilience across teams. Her client portfolio includes leading institutions such as the British Olympic Association, UK Athletics, the British Equestrian Federation, GB Canoe Team, national ballet companies, television networks and global financial organisations. She also collaborates with BAPAM, supporting performing artists with mental health challenges linked to pressure, injury, confidence and career transitions.

Anna’s academic foundation underpins her evidence-based approach. She holds a BSc in Psychology and Sport Science from the University of Surrey, an MSc in Applied Sport Psychology from Bangor University and a PhD in Applied Sport Psychology, where her research explored confidence in injury and rehabilitation. Her doctoral work was recognised with the British Psychological Society Sport and Exercise Division Award for the Most Outstanding PhD Thesis of 2006. She is an HCPC Registered Practitioner, a BPS Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, reflecting her professional credibility and commitment to high standards in mental health practice.

As a keynote speaker, Anna is known for turning complex psychology into practical insight that audiences can immediately apply. Her talks cover resilience, psychological safety, emotional regulation, confidence and performing under pressure, all grounded in real-world experience. She brings mental health to the forefront of performance, showing how managing anxiety, stress and self-belief directly impacts outcomes at work and on stage. Anna’s delivery is clear, engaging and relatable, making her a trusted speaker for organisations that want to support both wellbeing and high performance in a meaningful, lasting way.